The Fate of Rikio

[SinToxic 0]

Alright, we know who the majority of fans in Japan want for Rikio's next title defense but who do you think he should down under his reign?

In other words what challengers does he need to face and beat to prove himself as a worthwhile champ with a promise of future reign(s). I have a feeling that in this day and age if they mess up his 1st reign the next one might not even come. I believe he can mess it up as well.

 

Saito and Taue have already voiced their interest and from the two I'd take Taue because beating Saito as you 1st opponent looks as exciting live as it does on paper.

 

Outside of Morishima who is causing interest mostly for his look and relation to Rikio as a former tag partner NOAH is running a tight ship with few real top stars.

 

Companies often try to bring outside big names for the usual job and dream matches, something AJPW didnt always need to do since they had their own very large stable of worhty gaijins and home boys. That's what I think might hurt the new generation champs since the age of healthy/strongly booked Musketeers, Vader's and Hansen's is over.

 

Basically if Rikio gets over the expected NOAH ceiling of Akiyama and Misawa, does he need something more to make an impact outside the NOAH circle, if not will he end up as a closet NOAH champ, strictly by NOAH for NOAH?

 

I bring this up mostly for one reason which is to try to speculate the future of Rikio and other new generation wretlers. In 10 years can anyone come close to establishing themselves as well as Misawa, Tenryu and Muto amongst others did?

 

 

Sorry if i whored myself out with too many questions, thought this forum needed some juice.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I think NOAH will end up in panic mode when interest in the company falls. It was going to happen no matter who beat Kobashi for the GHC title. But I see them putting the belt back on Misawa or Kobashi by June and then trying to get Kawada as a full timer to give him the belt.

[Sass 0]

Endless:

 

Feed him Akiyama, Misawa, Taue, Sano, Ogawa, Morishima, Yone, etc. along with Tenryu, Sasaki and any possible NJ & AJ co-promotional guys.

 

Find some strong in-ring gaijin workers and do this for 2 years. Don't cut off his legs. It's time Misawa puts up or shuts up. He was 31 when he got his first run with the Triple Crown and held onto it for 2 years. That reign established Misawa as an ace and it paid off big time. Rikio is a year older than Misawa and should get built-up strong *now* and not later. Have a re-match with Kobashi later on down the road if NOAH wants to really establish Rikio as a force by beating the former ace again and prove his first win wasn't just a fluke.

 

If not, give the belt to Sasaki or Tenryu and run a NOAH vs. Sasaki Office feud for the rest of the year. It could work.